British Superbikes: Mondello Park: Jonathan Rea takes first BSB win in Race Two in Ireland

Jonathan Rea has taken the first win of his British Superbike career at his home round at Mondello Park in Ireland.

The Ulsterman took his HM Plant Honda to victory in a race full of drama and action, and it was only once he took the lead late in the race and made a break that any of the front positions looked decided.

Behind him at the finish was longtime leader Shane Byrne on the Stobart Honda who had looked likely to win until starting to slow towards the end of the race. As Rea moved ahead, Byrne came under fire from the Airwaves Ducatis of Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla. The Ducati duo fought hard for third place, with Haslam holding off his team-mate and rival until the penultimate lap, despite some hard challenges and their motorcycles actually touching in one attempted pass by Lavilla which saw Haslam shaking his head for the next few corners.

Fifth went to Ryuichi Kiyonari who just couldn’t match the speed of his HM Plant Honda teammate. Fallers included the Rizla Suzukis of Chris Walker and Cal Crutchlow and British Superbike privateer Neil Faulkner. The safety car made an appearance following a collision as Aaron Zanotti fell, and was then collected by Hudson Kennaugh who appeared to hit Zanotti’s head with the front of his Virgin Mobile machine. Fortunately Zanotti was able to walk away after the incident.

British Superbikes Mondello Park Race Two Results:

1 Jonathan Rea.

2.Shane Byrne.

3. Gregorio Lavilla.

4. Leon Haslam.

5. Ryuichi Kiyonari.

6. Leon Camier